Knowledge of all knowledges
Sudha Bazaz
Chh. Sambhaji Nagar (Maharashtra)
Hari Aum!
My prostrations at the Holy Feet of Sree Ishwar and Sree Guru Parampara. Humble pranaam to Guru Maa.
On the occasion of Republic Day, we had an online Call Talk with Maa ji. The topic was “Working for the self vs Working towards the Self.” Maa beautifully explained, that to make one’s Nation strong, certain noble qualities must be cultivated by the citizens. When individuals hold a higher and nobler aim in life, the true pride & strength of the Nation is upheld.
Vedantic philosophy does not merely give us a vision of life; it also provides us with a way of life. The vision of life, as revealed by Vedanta, is the understanding of the Supreme Reality, and the way of life it prescribes is a noble, selfless, and righteous one.
Today, most people are working only for the self. Even working solely for one’s family is still working for the self, not for the Self. When our actions are confined to “me and mine,” we become afflicted with sorrow, pain, restlessness, and negativity.
In Chapter 16 of the Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta - verses 14, 15, and 16, Lord Sree Krishna describes such a mindset:
असौ मया हत: शत्रुर्हनिष्ये चापरानपि ।
ईश्वरोऽहमहं भोगी सिद्धोऽहं बलवान्सुखी ॥ 14 ॥
“That enemy has been slain by me; and others also shall I destroy; I am the Lord; I am the enjoyer; I am perfect, powerful and happy.”
आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया ।
यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इत्यज्ञानविमोहिता: ॥ 15 ॥
“I am rich and well-born; who else is equal to me? I will give (alms, money); I will rejoice’. Thus are they, deluded by ignorance.
अनेकचित्तविभ्रान्ता मोहजालसमावृता: ।
प्रसक्ता: कामभोगेषु पतन्ति नरकेऽशुचौ ॥ 16 ॥
“Bewildered by many a fancy, entangled in the snare of delusion, addicted to the gratification of lust, they fall into a foul hell.”
These verses describe people who work only for themselves. They proclaim, “I am the doer, I am the enjoyer, I am powerful and successful.” When such an attitude dominates human life, the outcome is confusion, bondage, and Spiritual downfall.
If we take guidance from Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta, our entire mindset begins to transform. So many teachings from Shastra-s can guide us in improving the quality of our thoughts, the purity in our actions, and the direction of our lives, so that our efforts benefit not just ourselves or our families, but our entire Nation.
Our Shastra-s prescribe many auspicious observances and sacred practices. By following them, we become positive, responsible, and contributing members of society—individuals who do not merely take from society, but also give back selflessly. The entire sacred Text of Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta teaches us to work towards the Self.
Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta, Chapter 9, Shloka 34,
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु |
मामेवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवमात्मानं मत्परायणः।।
“Fix your mind on M; be devoted to Me, sacrifice unto Me, bow down to Me, Having thus united yourself with Me, taking Me as the Supreme Goal, you shall come to Me.”
This beautifully explains the path of turning inward and living with this higher orientation. One must remain centered in the Self, for it is our Sat–Chid–Anand Swaroop—free from sorrow, anxiety, and the dualities of likes and dislikes.
Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta guides us in the true spirit of devotion: how to remember Him constantly, how to bow down with humility, and how to perform every action as a sacred sacrifice. In doing so, our work itself becomes a means of Self-Realization.
Constant awareness maintained diligently, is the secret of success.
Our prayers at the Holy Feet - may we be blessed with the knowledge of constant awareness towards final Knowledge.
Hari Aum!